I have totally failed at homeownership, and at functioning adulthood as well. I decided it was past time to change the smoke detector batteries, which I have done at least once before with no problems, but today I had to give up after the first one, because I can't get the effing thing to stop beeping at me, no matter what I do.

Maybe it's time to get Nest installed.

That chutney sounds delicious, Jesse!

I also switched out my clothes this weekend. It was probably the quickest I've ever done it because we have guests coming for the night tonight and we need to set up a bed in the room in which many of my fall/winter clothes were strewn about after I've been rummaging through the storage containers they were in looking for warm clothes in the past couple of weeks. Thanks, Guests!

What's the deal with the creamy scrambled eggs, -t? Why would they take 40+ minutes??

Why are people stupid, and why do they use our program? Sales must have a way to filter out the stupid people who want to buy it. "Sorry, this program is only for smart people."

I think the eggs took so long because my electric burners are ancient and have built up corrosion at the connections and therefore resistance and medium low is practically off, but medium is too hot (I tried turning it up a little and got some scorching). It's supposed to 15-20 minutes, I think, although this paricular recipe doesn't say. It's frustrating, but the kind of thing I can't jus walk away from.

Have chopped all the reachable blackberry vines out of the rose bush. I'm gonna have to think about how best to prune the rise before I can do anymore there. Already accidentally lopped off a healthy branch, which I stuck in some dirt and watered. If it roots I'll plant it in a front corner to twine along the inside of the fence.

Of course, I left the gate to the backyard open while Walter was on a lead in the front with me, and forgot when I let him into the back by himself, so he got out and led me on a merry chase but only for a couple of blocks.

Now for weeding and salsify harvesting.

Lee, the notice my city sent out reminding us to change the smoke alarm batteries also said to replace any alarms that were more Han 10 years old because they wouldn't be compliant with some new regulation. I crave what the new ones have to do or have, though. But Nest seems pretty neat, maybe now would be a good time to dip your toes into that.

That would negatively impact your revenue, Connie. Too niche a market.

My smoke detectors are pretty new, since they went in when the house got redone, so I can't really use that as an excuse. Nest would be cool though.

The real problem may be that I am no longer all that good at things that require standing on a step stool and doing things over my head, but I don't know. If Juliana's Martin is in the area next week I may see if he can help, or maybe I can pull out the list of handyman items and add this to it.

Burrell, I feel you. My dreams are usually absolutely wonderful, and if I have a mundane dream, it just depresses me wholeheartedly.

And now for a completely different question, I need to set up a photo sharing site, one where I can set it to privacy for select people, so that certain people can access it. If anyone can suggest something, I would be really grateful.

Oh, and it needs to be free. Thank you!

Not being good at standing on a step stool, etc. , sounds like a good reason to go to a system that doesn't require you to do that. But short-term, having someone else do it would work.

Do you want carpool to the 5k? I could give it a try, if my shortness would not make it impossible...

This is true. I should think on it.

Yes on the carpool , but not just because of this. One car makes more sense, I think.

Cool beans.